WSDL Hosts Call-In Show on Delmarva Development July 19

“It” is development on Delmarva, arguably the most important—and controversial-issue facing the peninsula in the 21st century. As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, Public Radio Delmarva (PRD) invites the public to join a live discussion on WSDL 90.7 FM at noon Wednesday, July 19.

Public access television station PAC 14 simulcasts the discussion to cable subscribers in Wicomico County. The shared broadcast marks a first for both Public Radio Delmarva and PAC 14.

Russ Brinsfield, executive director of the Maryland Center for Agro-Ecology Inc., director of the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Wye Research and Education Center and mayor of Vienna, MD.

Alan Girard from the Salisbury office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Bud Esham, president of the Eastern Shore Building Industry Association and owner of Bud Esham Homes.

Listeners may join the conversation by calling 1-800-543-6895 or e-mailing their questions and comments to prd@salisbury.edu. E-mails before the July 19 air date are welcome.

“No issue affects Delmarva more in 2006 than development,” said Rush. “People who grew up here see their rural lifestyle slipping away. People who moved here to enjoy the country and the beach see the character of the peninsula changing. At the same time, development and increasing population are driving a higher standard of living. Everyone has questions. It’s our hope that this program will allow all sides to air their opinions.”

Rush is the recipient of two Associated Press awards this year.

“It’s part of our mission to educate and inform the people of Delmarva,” said General Manager Fred Marino. “We’ve never tried a talk show quite like this, but we think it’s high time we created a neutral forum where all comers can have their say. Who better to take on that challenge than public radio? We’re very fortunate here on Delmarva to have rich, varied public radio–it rivals what you might hear in a much larger metropolitan area.”

Public Radio Delmarva is now two stations: WSCL at 89.5 FM and WSDL at 90.7 FM. Both stations operate from the campus of Salisbury University. WSCL 89.5 FM offers classical music and National Public Radio news, and such popular public radio staples as Car Talk and A Prairie Home Companion on the weekends. WSDL 90.7 FM is the new talk/news format, carrying NPR news, as well as nationally syndicated programs like The Diane Rehm Show, Fresh Air and Talk of the Nation.

Public Radio Delmarva began broadcasting May 29, 1987. Other planned 20th anniversary celebration events include introducing Web streaming before the end of the summer, co-sponsoring the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra’s Children’s Concert in October and the annual Celebration of Music in late spring, 2007.